Keep Texans Talk Google Ad Free!
Venmo Tip Jar | Paypal Tip Jar
Thanks for your support! 🍺😎👍

Udfa

Heath Shuler

Heath Shuler

SPEED KILLS
Adam Caplan ‏@caplannfl 3m3 minutes ago

UDFA DT Dan Pettinato (Arizona) has agreed to a deal with the #Texans.
Click to expand...


PDS ‏@PatDStat 28s29 seconds ago

Appaclachian State OT, Kendall Lamm has signed with the #Texans (Per @DraftDiamonds)
Click to expand...

Aaron Wilson ‏@RavensInsider 7m7 minutes ago

James Rouse to Houston Texans, according to a source
3 retweets 2 favorites
Click to expand...
PDS ‏@PatDStat 7m7 minutes ago

#Texans sign Texas State Punter Will Johnson.
Click to expand...


PDS ‏@PatDStat 3m3 minutes ago

Coastal Carolina Safety Quinn Backus signs with the #Texans
Click to expand...


...

PDS ‏@PatDStat 4m4 minutes ago

La Tech DE/OLB Houston Bates signing with the #Texans
Click to expand...


PDS ‏@PatDStat 6m6 minutes ago

Missouri safety Braylon Webb has an invite on the table to join the #Texans
Click to expand...

PDS ‏@PatDStat 12m12 minutes ago

#Texans sign Henderson State QB Kevin Rodgers.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Lynden Trail OLB Norfolk State
Carlos Thompson DE Ole Miss
Greg Mancz OL Toledo
Tony Washington OLB Oregon
Brandon Ivory DL Alabama
Dan Pettinato DL Arizona
Kendall Lamm OT Appalachian State
Will Johnson OL Texas State
Quinn Backus S Coastal Carolina
Kurtis Drummond S Michigan State
Kevin Rodgers QB Henderson State
Mike McFarland TE USF
Chad Slade OL Auburn
Click to expand...

According to http://www.nepatriotsdraft.com/2015-nfl-undrafted-free-agents
 
Last edited:
Greg Mancz is a huge signing. Has played RT but has short 32 3/4" arms and it's not his ideal position. But he graded out very high at OG in 2012 and 2013. Was second team All American at OC his senior year. 6'-4" / 301 lbs / 10" hands
 
Drummond is the biggest name so far.

I hope Mancz is good - I think we need OL depth, so even the UDFAs we bring in have a chance. I was hoping for Reese Dismukes, but looks like he went to Pittsburgh (as did B.J. Finney - those were the two highest rated centers I saw left).
 
PDS @PatDStat
Georgia safety Corey Moore has signed with the #Texans.

La Tech’s LB Tony Johnson to the #Texans

TAMU RB Trey Williams will sign with the #Texans.
Click to expand...


An unofficial list of rookie free agents for the Houston Texans.

Lynden Trial, OLB, Norfolk State
Jake Cotton, OL, Nebraska
Greg Mancz, C, Toledo
Carlos Thompson, DE, Mississippi
Zach Zwinak, RB, Penn State (Tryout)
Tony Washington, OLB, Oregon
Brandon Ivory, DT, Alabama
James Rouse, DE, Marshall
Chandler Worthy, WR, Troy
Dan Pettinato, DT, Arizona
Kendall Lamm, OT, Appalachian State
Houston Bates, OLB/DE, Louisiana Tech (Tryout)
Khari Lee, TE, Bowie State
Quinn Backus, SS, Coastal Carolina
Kevin Rodgers, QB, Henderson State
Will Johnson, P, Texas State
Kurtis Drummond, S, Michigan State
Chad Slade, OL, Auburn
Levander Liggins, CB, Louisiana Tech
Mike McFarland, TE, USF
Cameron McLeod, DT, Ohio


http://hou.scout.com/story/1543410-texans-unofficial-rookie-fa-class?s=116
 
Trail, Mancz, Washington, Ivory, and Rouse would all have a legit shot at making at least the PS.
 
PHILLYTEXANFAN said:
Kurtis Drummond signing is huge
Click to expand...



http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/kurtis-drummond?id=2552393

Weaknesses Finesse safety who is a catch-and-drag tackler. Has had issues with missed tackles over the last three years. Inconsistent body control when asked to tackle in space. Takes suspect angles from high to low. Must improve at breaking down in space and centering his strike point. Eyes are slow to recognize and will bust coverage at times because of it. Allowed career-worst 9.1 yards per target.
Click to expand...

Explains why he fell. cant see ****
 
I know a lot of people like Drummond but I don't think he's anything more than a camp body. He's below average in just about every way.
 
He seems to be a bit of a Watt Light with skills at OLB, DT and TE and 3-3 as a TE in the red zone. I'd love to see him develop into a complimentary player.
 
I'm happy about Trey Williams - I had posted in the draft thread that I hoped they'd pick him up. Lots of talent when running the ball. The big knock on him was him not blocking well in pass protection. I'm glad he'll get a shot with the Texans.

Chad Slade is maybe interesting - I had wanted the Center from the Auburn OL (Reese Dismukes), but maybe another of the OL will work out...

Of course, fact is that probably none of these guys will make the roster.
 
PHILLYTEXANFAN said:
Kurtis Drummond signing is huge
Click to expand...

From Rotoworld

NFL Media analyst Lance Zierlein postulates that Michigan State S Kurtis Drummond is "not physical enough to play around the line of scrimmage, so his draft position will ultimately rest on how teams weigh his ball skills against his instincts."

Drummond compares to Aaron Williams, Zierlein believes. "Drummond is a bag of mismatched parts," Zierlein wrote. "He has the ball skills and closing burst of a starting NFL free safety, but his instincts and tackling could scare teams away from viewing him as a single-high center fielder." Drummond is coming off one heck of a college career. Last season, he was named Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year, a Third-team AP All-American and a First-team All-Big Ten. Mar 27 - 11:41 PM
Click to expand...
 
keyser said:
I'm happy about Trey Williams - I had posted in the draft thread that I hoped they'd pick him up. Lots of talent when running the ball. The big knock on him was him not blocking well in pass protection. I'm glad he'll get a shot with the Texans.

Chad Slade is maybe interesting - I had wanted the Center from the Auburn OL (Reese Dismukes), but maybe another of the OL will work out...

Of course, fact is that probably none of these guys will make the roster.
Click to expand...

If he can make an impact as KR/PR best shot to make the team and can he change of pace RB some hoped for.
 
I'm probably more excited about this UDFA class than our day 3 picks.

like Trail > Cliett
Trey Williams > Hilliard
ANYBODY > Mumphery
(I really like the Covington pick)

but what do I know...
 
vupac1 said:
I'm probably more excited about this UDFA class than our day 3 picks.

like Trail > Cliett
Trey Williams > Hilliard
ANYBODY > Mumphery
(I really like the Covington pick)

but what do I know...
Click to expand...

I'd have to agree. But I just wonder if other teams were interested in our day three picks more than our UDFAs? But I have to admit that we seem to find more UDFA success than late round success as a rule.
 
1675741000.jpg


Texans hope Trail leads to free-agent payoff on defense
Of all the prospects the Texans drafted and signed over the weekend, none intrigues me more than Norfolk State outside linebacker Lynden Trail.

General manager Rick Smith selected seven players and signed 16 who weren't taken, including Trail, a Miami native who began his career at Florida and transferred, becoming only the second Norfolk State player drafted since 1997.

Coach Bill O'Brien emphasizes versatility. Trail (6-7, 269) played outside linebacker, defensive end and tight end in college.

At the combine, Trail ran the 40-yard dash in 4.91. At his pro day, he turned in a 4.86.

Trail has a wingspan of 34 7⁄8 inches, tied for the widest among defensive players at the combine.

Still developing

So why wasn't Trail drafted, considering he's a bright guy with no baggage, studies karate, likes to shoot and edit videos, and has dreamed of working at ESPN or NFL Network?

One scout said Trail is raw and competed against weaker competition, and that worked against him.

Another said playing three positions, including at the Senior Bowl, hindered him.

Trail has been training in Dallas, where his agent, Scott Casterline, is based. One of his trainers is former Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Randy White.

White, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, has worked with Trail on hand-fighting moves he can use on offensive linemen.

It's going to be fun to watch the coaches get their first look at Trail, the seven draft choices, and the other 15 undrafted free agents at the Texans' rookie minicamp on Friday and Saturday.

Trail signed with the ideal team. The Texans need outside linebackers with size. He's got outstanding coaches in Mike Vrabel and Romeo Crennel.

Trail, blessed with size and athleticism, couldn't ask for much more if he's hungry to improve and wants to show every team, including the Texans, they made a mistake by passing him up in the draft...
Click to expand...
 
Happy trails!

The Virginian-Pilot
© March 20, 2015
VIRGINIA BEACH

Norfolk State linebacker Lynden Trail has been put through all the tests a top-flight NFL prospect must take.

He played in the prestigious Senior Bowl. He was sized up, quizzed and worked out at the invitation-only NFL combine.

On Thursday, Trail completed the scouting trifecta with NSU's pro day.

Trail, projected to be picked anywhere from the middle to late rounds when the draft begins on April 30, was 1 of 13 players who performed strength and agility drills before scouts from seven NFL teams at the Virginia Beach Field House.

The 6-foot-7, 265-pound former FCS All-American said he was glad to finally have the three-pronged process behind him.

"Now it's time to get money," he said. "I'm ready to play football."

Well, not quite yet. In the five weeks remaining until the draft, Trail will train at NSU as he is caught between body types.

He has an enviable dilemma. Some teams like Trail at outside linebacker; others at defensive end in a 4-3 scheme. A few like him at tight end, and he ran routes and caught some passes Thursday.

If drafted as a linebacker, Trail would slim down to about 255. If a team wants him on the line, he'll bulk up to 270. As a tight end, he'd probably stay about where he is.

Trail said he's keeping his weight around 265 so he can go either way easily when the time comes.

"It's going to be interesting to see who likes him where," said Scott Casterline, one of Trail's two agents, both of whom were at the workout. "But he's definitely a dynamic talent. He's a very athletic kid."

Trail said he has no preference.

"I'm pretty much a robot," he said. "However they want me to mold and shape my body to help my team win, I'm willing to do it."

Other players were hoping NFL scouts would find them interesting, too.



For Trail, who was criticized for his 4.91 40-yard dash at the combine, it was an important day. Representatives from the Browns, Bengals, Seahawks, Titans, Patriots, Colts and Redskins watched Thursday as he posted a 4.77.

Trail said he "took the criticism into consideration" after the combine and worked on quickening his start. The results showed.

Several scouts present Thursday, citing team policies, declined to speak either on or off the record. One even refused to give his name to a photographer for identification purposes, a sign of how low-profile the scouting process can be.

Trail, who has in-person visits lined up with the Dolphins and the Vikings with more likely to come, said he's not sure when he'll be drafted or what position he might play.

With most of the pre-draft process behind him, his goal is to stay ready and try not to worry about it.

"It's been tiring mentally, physically," Trail said.

"My biggest thing is I need to stop looking things up because nobody's an actual GM or owner on Twitter or on the Internet."

David Hall, 757-446-2367, david.hall@pilotonline.com[/QUOTE][url]http://hamptonroads.com/2015/03/nsus-lynden-trail-others-work-out-nfl-scouts[/url]

“I left Florida weighing around 225,” Trail said. “The thing that really helped me at Norfolk was my girlfriend. She changed my nutrition. I went from eating junk food and fast food to home-cooked meals. I’m not a greens guy, but she sneaks vegetables into dishes she makes. Slowly, I started to gain weight, it started to stick and form in the right ways.”

Trail became a consistent force for the Spartans playing outside linebacker. In 27 starts, he recorded 255 tackles (40.5 for a loss) with 18.5 sacks. The Miami native was able to shine despite a rough start at Norfolk State.

Trail played receiver in high school and has been asked this week by scouts if he’s considered playing tight end in the NFL. The Jaguars took it one step further Thursday, having Trail work as a tight end for a couple of snaps in red-zone work. He caught a touchdown from about 10 yards out.

“The more that they can do is always beneficial to them,” Bradley said. “So, to see him play tight end, the defensive side, special teams. A guy with that size and length is unique. If you have a chance to show his athletic ability, that’s something every team wants to see.”

A few minutes later, Trail was back on defense and intercepted a pass on a nifty catch in seven-on-seven work. The coaching staff then put Trail at defensive end in pass-rush work.

“Initially, you’d say he feels raw right away,” Bradley said. “Then, you come over here on the third day and he quickly adjusts. You see him have an interception in the red zone, play some tight end. It comes quickly to him. … To put practices like that back to back and see him improve quickly is good.”
Click to expand...
http://jacksonville.com/sports/foot...er-lynden-trail-makes-plays-shows-versatility
Click to expand...
 
Latest reports say Clowney won't be ready to return to the playing field until week one. Right now, on the depth chart, Jason Ankrah is listed as Clowney's back-up. I'm wondering if Trail could sneak in there and start game one?
 
badboy said:
I don't remember saying what you quoted me saying. Can you refer me to that post?
Click to expand...
It was a quote from Trail inside your quote. Explaining why he shouldn't be looking up his draft info on the web.

Some teams like Trail at outside linebacker; others at defensive end in a 4-3 scheme. A few like him at tight end, and he ran routes and caught some passes Thursday.
Click to expand...
He's with Texans, so he can do both. Kind of JJ's backup at goalline TE.
 
The depth chart I'm using is the one from the Texans website. Sorry, I don't know how to paste a link from my I-phone.
 
keyser said:
Of course, fact is that probably none of these guys will make the roster.
Click to expand...
Actually, you see UDFAs on the roster at some point just about every year. They are usually brought up from the practice squad.
 
Trail is kind of a misfit in a base defense. He's almost quick enough to play LB, but not quite. He's almost strong enough to play 5 tech or SDE in a 43, but not quite.

What he can do is come on the field as a situational player and be very useful if used correctly. He's got raw tools that need refining, but everything you want is there.

I think we're really going to like him. This was a really good signing.
 
bah007 said:
Trail is kind of a misfit in a base defense. He's almost quick enough to play LB, but not quite. He's almost strong enough to play 5 tech or SDE in a 43, but not quite.

What he can do is come on the field as a situational player and be very useful if used correctly. He's got raw tools that need refining, but everything you want is there.

I think we're really going to like him. This was a really good signing.
Click to expand...
6'7 with 35 inch arms, I'm hoping for a few blocked passes or at least blocking QB view.
 
bah007 said:
Trail is kind of a misfit in a base defense. He's almost quick enough to play LB, but not quite. He's almost strong enough to play 5 tech or SDE in a 43, but not quite.

What he can do is come on the field as a situational player and be very useful if used correctly. He's got raw tools that need refining, but everything you want is there.

I think we're really going to like him. This was a really good signing.
Click to expand...

badboy said:
6'7 with 35 inch arms, I'm hoping for a few blocked passes or at least blocking QB view.
Click to expand...

Maybe he could play TE
 
10 Offensive UDFA’s to Like
What do Michael Bennett, Cameron Wake and Jason Peters have common? Well there’s two things that spring to mind when you think of that trio. The first is that they’re all amongst the best players in the league at their respective positions.

The second? Well they were all undrafted. They slipped through the entire draft without a team calling their name just like a host of people did this year. Those guys might face long odds to make an NFL roster, but there’s been more than enough recent success from UDFA’s to know that some will not just make a roster, but contribute in a big way on Sundays.

Here are 10 guys on offense who could do so...

Greg Mancz, C, Houston Texans

The guy who was No. 1 ahead of Jasperse? Mancz, and it really wasn’t close. You can complain about his level of play and the shoulder surgeries are a big concern, but Mancz utterly dominated his level of competition like few others could. Played powerfully and looks like a natural in space and when the competition level got rose (Missouri) he still delivered. Real surprise he went undrafted, if healthy he’s got the tools to do something in the NFL.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Greg Mancz, C, Houston Texans

The guy who was No. 1 ahead of Jasperse? Mancz, and it really wasn’t close. You can complain about his level of play and the shoulder surgeries are a big concern, but Mancz utterly dominated his level of competition like few others could. Played powerfully and looks like a natural in space and when the competition level got rose (Missouri) he still delivered. Real surprise he went undrafted, if healthy he’s got the tools to do something in the NFL.
Click to expand...
This is the second time I've seen his surgery refered to in the plural. He started all year as a freshman, winning freshman All American honors. He started all games as a sophmore and junior, putting together a streak of 38 consecutive games before missing 3 games as a senior with a knee bruise. He still won second team All American honors as a senior. So unless he had surgery while in high school, he's had only the one surgery from his injury during the Shrine Game practices.
 
Playoffs said:
10 Offensive UDFA’s to Like
Click to expand...

We've got a C that will squat high enough to save Mallet's back. I'm actually excited by his acquisition and hope he works out. But there can be no doubt that the shoulder is a major issue of concern. Not only did he undergo labrum repair surgery just this past mid January, and had repeated injuries to the shoulder in the past, but he has already undergone 2 previous additional surgeries to the shoulder prior to this one. The one good thing going for him is that he is an interior lineman, where as opposed to tackles, he does not usually have to leverage his opponents while his arm is outstretched to his side taking a lot of torque on that shoulder.
 
Mancz is a probable long time starter if the shoulder is healthy. Very athletic, played all positions on the OL.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top